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Commonly Asked Audiology Questions
- What are some symptoms of hearing loss?
- Who is the primary contact person once hearing loss is suspected?
- What are some hearing loss statistics?
- How should I seek help?
- What are some reasons for hearing loss?
- What are the types of hearing loss?
What are some symptoms of hearing loss?
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Often avoiding social situations
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy situations
- Feel that people are mumbling when they speak to you
- Turning the television volume up so loud that others complain
- Often misunderstanding conversations
- Having to look at the speaker's face carefully to follow conversation
- Difficulty hearing in church or an auditorium
- Ringing in the ear(s)
Hearing loss is a gradual process, often taking years before an individual notices difficulty hearing. If any of the above symptoms are familiar to you then chances are you might have hearing loss. A complete hearing evaluation by an audiologist is recommended.
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Who is the primary contact person once hearing loss is suspected?
An audiologist is a professional who specializes in the non-medical management of hearing problems. This includes the diagnosis and evaluation of hearing loss, appropriate referrals when medical intervention is necessary, selecting hearing aids, counseling and aural rehabilitation (professional efforts to help persons with hearing impairment compensate for losing auditory sensation). They may also participate in research and act as consultants for hearing aid and assistive listening device manufacturers. After receiving a Master's or Doctorate degree, no separate state licensure is required (in Ohio) in order to dispense hearing aids. Audiologists work in a variety of work settings including: private practice clinics, alone or with Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians, hospitals, university clinics, Veteran's Administration, schools and residential care facilities.
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What are some hearing loss statistics?
About 24 million people in the United States suffer from hearing loss, this is about 1 out of every 10 people. Approximately 50% of these people are under the age of 65. In the over 65 age group 34% have significant difficulties with their hearing.
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How should I seek help?
- See an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
- Results of a hearing evaluation will allow both you and the audiologist to know whether medical intervention or a hearing aid will best accommodate your hearing loss.
- If a hearing aid or assistive listening device is warranted, your audiologist will help you select a hearing aid that is most appropriate for your listening needs and lifestyle.
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What are some reasons for hearing loss?
Hearing loss has many different causes, typically beyond your control. Hearing loss can be the result of any of the following:
- Deterioration of the hearing system due to the aging process
- Serious medical conditions or medication
- Ear disease or infection
- Repeated overexposure to loud noise
- Hereditary factors or family history
- Injury
- Excessive wax
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What are the types of hearing loss?
There are primarily three types of hearing losses - sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
A sensorineural hearing loss involves damage located within the inner ear, which results in a permanent loss of hearing that typically neither medication nor surgery can remedy. A sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by such factors as noise exposure, medications, injury, disease or an inherited condition. This type of hearing loss is managed through the use of hearing aids.
A conductive hearing loss involves a problem located within the outer or middle ear and can be treated to restore some or all of the hearing. A conductive loss occurs when there is a blockage of sound transmission through the outer and middle ear. This may be caused by excessive wax in the ear canal, infection or a problem with the middle ear structures. This type of loss is treated by medical or surgical remediation or hearing aids.
A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. This type of loss involves either the outer and/or middle ear and the inner ear. This type of hearing loss may be partially treatable, restoring some of the loss of hearing. This type of loss may also warrant the use of hearing aids.
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